It is always a task in futility when discussing American Idiot (punk super group Green Day's 6 x platinum selling album turned 2010 Broadway musical), to those who simply don't like the genre to begin with. My thoughts on that, as Johnny would say, "stay the f**k home". What is American Idiot? It is loud; it is about young adult rebellion; it is by Green Day; it is spiritual; it is moving. What American Idiot is not? Rent! So, to my colleagues, stop comparing the two.
American Idiot returns for the second time to Chicago after having had a successful run with the first national touring company. The current non-equity tour, which spent a bulk of time overseas in now entrenched for a short, one week run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and for the most part, the show is on-par with its equity brethren.
The story follows three suburbia-trapped friends who decide to find out what the big bad city is all about. One is Johnny (who has a lot in common with Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong); Tunny, who is "tempted" into the armed forces; and Will who knocks up his girlfriend and chooses to stay home while the other two journey on. Each of the three friends take an independent journey through hell and back ultimately being changed for the better, if not the most glamorous.